asked the Minister for Health the present position regarding the legislative proposals which he has undertaken to implement in relation to the mental treatment laws, which are needed to bring them up to contemporary needs.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Mental Treatment Laws .
13.
: The proposals are now at an advanced stage of preparation in my Department and I would hope to be in a position to consult the various interested groups regarding the proposals within the next few months.
: More consultations.
: There is nothing wrong with consultations. I am not an expert and I like to consult.
: I agree with the Minister entirely.
: I like to consult experts.
: What procedure has the Minister in mind now? Is he producing a Green Paper or a White Paper, or is he simply circulating various authorities? Is this the first time it is being done? His predecessor said he was doing very much the same thing. Has it taken all this time, three or four years?
: Our proposals are now ready. We are consulting the College of Psychiatrists and expert bodies in the area.
: Would the Minister not have had information of various kinds which was submitted to his predecessor by these various bodies? Could he say is this the beginning of another prolonged wait before this very badly needed improvement is made?
: I would hope the wait will not be particularly long at this stage. I did not find anything ready when I came into the Department, as the Deputy suggested. I think the Deputy would grant me the right when I have my proposals in fairly advanced form to consult the various expert bodies about them. I know the process will not take much longer.
: The Minister appreciates that these laws are archaic. I think it is 30 years since we had the last one.
: 1945.
: Could the Minister give us any idea of what the time lag is likely to be before we get a White Paper or a Green Paper?
: I have already indicated to the Deputy that I hope to bring forward proposals and discuss them here in the House.
: In the form of legislation?
: Yes. I thought the Deputy agreed with that procedure the last day when I mentioned it to him.
: I was not sure. The Minister mentioned a Green Paper.
: No. I indicated that I was not going in for any colour of paper and that I hoped to bring forward proposals and have them discussed by the Oireachtas committee which is being set up.
: Does that mean we will have legislative proposals next session possibly?
: Yes.
: I see.